The Jersey Cape
Cape May County, “The Jersey Cape,” is a destination famous for its beaches and boardwalks, but the Cape offers visitors of all ages much more to explore than surf, sand and amusements. Historic sites and points of interest can be found throughout the county and add to the visitors experience. Special events often celebrate and highlight a time in the diverse history of Cape May County. Be sure to visit one of our many museums and attractions to learn more about the Jersey Cape.

Special events also give visitors a reason to return throughout the year to join in the fun. First Night in Ocean City kicks off the New Year in grand style with a two day celebration that brings huge crowds to the boardwalk and other citywide locations. Ocean City rings in the New Year right, with a spectacular fireworks show.

Sea Isle City's Polar Plunge is a weekend celebration that makes hundreds of seemingly ordinary people jump into the ocean in February! Of course all this fun is for a great cause. If a dip in the ocean in February is not on your bucket list, there are many other fun family events throughout the year, done in Sea Isle style!

Fall is a great time to Escape to the Jersey Cape and enjoy warm relaxing days and cool crisp nights. The Wildwoods never skip a beat with a full schedule of Fall events include, Irish Weekend in North Wildwood, the Fabulous 50's Concert and classic car show in Wildwood and Seafarers Weekend in Wildwood Crest.

Savor Summer in Stone Harbor is a food, wine and entertainment festival held in September, complete with a grape stomping event, a day long event that marks the end of summer.

Sale-ing is considered by many as a serious athletic event, especially in Avalon, and fair warning, not for the faint of heart. The Shop Hop, Shop-a-holics Weekend and Sidewalk Sales at the end of season are events in of themselves and held in each resort. From first hand experience, they are not to be missed. Grab the girls and plan a return trip to the Jersey Cape. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended!

The West Cape May Christmas Parade is a long standing favorite that kicks off the holiday season on the Jersey Cape. Hospitality Nights in Cape May, Festive Friday in Avalon and Ocean City, Wildwood and Stone Harbor's Christmas Parade, kick off the shopping season right after Thanksgiving. Victorian Cape May turns into a winter wonderland with homes and businesses decorated and on display for guests and tours.

Indoor & Outdoor ActivitiesWondering what to do with the kids if it's not a beach day? Well, we have lots of great indoor and sheltered activities that will keep them happy. The Wetland's Institute outside of Stone Harbor is full of hands on activities for the young and older alike. For starters the touch tank offers kids a chance to see up close and personal some of the sea creatures that share the ocean with them.

Local museums in each town offer interesting exhibits depicting life in Cape May County during bygone days. Life in the beach towns has changed over the years and it is never more apparent after viewing some of the bathing attire of years ago. Some towns have guided trolley tours that give you a better glimpse of the history of the town.

Historic Cold Spring Village, located in the Cold Spring section of Lower Township, is an open air museum that offers visitors an authentic example of the 'homespun' life in mid-nineteenth century South Jersey.

The Emlyn Physick Estate, on Washington Street in Cape May, is operated by the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC), and offers guided tours of the estate and walking and trolley tours of Victorian Cape May. Ghost tours add a different dimension to the story and most towns have a few ghosts in the attic.

Concerts and music are a must on the Jersey Cape and they come in just about every genre from classical, to jazz, to rock n' roll and performed in venues throughout the county. We all know Chubby Checker started the 'Twist' in Wildwood and who doesn't know the words to "Wildwood Days?" Music festivals, beach concerts, string bands and the Ocean City Pops have been part of the Jersey Cape music scene for generations. Outdoor concerts are free and fun for the entire family.

Movies on the beach and other outdoor events are staged in most resort towns. There is always a reason to go back to the beach for family fun.

Perfect for day trips and extended stays.
Known for some of the best beaches in the world, the Jersey Cape has become a destination for families generation after generation. Easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway, visitors find the Jersey Cape a pleasant drive from distances a tank of gas away. The Canadian cities of Quebec and Montreal have discovered the Jersey Cape and made Cape May County a favorite family vacation destination.

Vacations
In a typical week’s vacation on the Jersey Cape for a family with children will likely include trips to the beach and boardwalks for starters. But there is so much for families to experience and enjoy, and for most, just not enough time to fit it all in.

Couples are not left out of the fun. Romance is rated high on our visitor's lists along with relaxing and recharging. There is a lot to be said about the calming affect of a quiet stroll on the beach, a nice dinner for two and a concert or theater production to top off the night.

For those who want to plan their days, be sure to include some of the following activities:

Fishing or crabbing

Shopping at any of the hottest shopping districts in the area such as Cape May’s Washington Street Mall, Avalon's Dune Drive, Stone Harbor's 96th Street Shopping District or Ocean City’s Asbury Avenue, as well as the boardwalks and promenades in the beach communities. Mainland shopping centers offer a wide variety of beach and grocery options, so don't worry if you left something behind, we have you covered.

Beaches
From mid-May through the end of September, the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean are the preferred spots for those who like nothing better than lazing in the sun, basking in the salt air, and creating spectacular sandcastles. For those who can’t seem to sit still, the beaches invite long, leisurely walks, and host communities have created special beaches for surfing, rafting, volleyball, and other beach games, such as bocce and paddleball.

Delaware Bay
The beaches of the Delaware Bay, found in western Cape May County are an excellent alternative to the seaside beaches. Though primarily unprotected by lifeguards, these beaches are not frequented by the masses, and lend themselves to more simple pleasures, such as long walks, exploring the dunes, or just sitting and admiring Mother Nature’s handiwork.

Sunset Beach
One of the more uncommon beaches in the region is Sunset Beach at Cape May Point, the southernmost part of the Cape, home to Cape May Diamonds and the concrete ship, hosts a nightly flag lowering ceremony in the summer months that draws hundreds of visitors for a perfectly exquisite view of a sunset.U.S.S. Atlantus
Here you’ll find the ever-sinking World War I vessel the U.S.S. Atlantus, an experimental wartime ship constructed from concrete. The concrete ships of the era (there were 4) were an engineering failure, but the remains of the Atlantus provide beautiful scenery at sunset as well as a barrier to the harsh tides and a home for many marine creatures.

Cape May Diamonds
The real treasures of Sunset Beach, however, are those under foot. Small pieces of quartz, rounded and smoothed through hundreds of years traveling down the Delaware River, converge on this beach. When polished, these quartz rocks resemble diamonds-hence the name “Cape May Diamonds.” An afternoon of hunting for Cape May Diamonds is almost a rite of passage for any youngster who has visited the Jersey Cape. Generations of visitors return to Sunset Beach each year to introduce their progeny to this wondrous pastime.

Jersey Cape Wine TrailFrom vine to wine, Cape May County has bragging rights for producing some award winning wines. Sandy soil and breezes from the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean provide the perfect environment for many varieties of grapes. Follow the wine trail and visit our six wineries and enjoy the distinct ambience of each one. Tours and tastings are available and many offer food and entertainment to give you a chance to 'wine down' after a day at the beach.

If wine is not your choice in adult beverages, try the Cape May Brewery, at the Cape May County Airport, and sample their craft beer selection. Additional breweries are planned in Dennisville on Route 83, and at Historic Cold Spring Village. New for 2015 is the Lazy Eye Distillery, located in Wildwood.Favorite Activities
Fine dining, bicycling, boating and water sports, sensational nightclubs, professional theater, outdoor concerts and miniature golf add to the list of favorite activities for families who visit the Jersey Cape.

Planning a Vacation
When planning a family vacation or a quick get-away, plan on the Jersey Cape. There’s more to explore than the world’s best beaches and boardwalks. Fall for the Jersey Cape and return throughout the year for quiet romantic getaways, Girls or Guys Weekends, or to celebrate that special occasion.